YouTube is currently trialing a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature tailored for its short-form vertical video segment, known as Shorts. This innovative tool, named Dream Screen, allows users to incorporate a custom-generated green screen image into their videos. The feature appears to target creators who seek unique backgrounds to enhance their visual storytelling or to align thematically with their content. Presently, Dream Screen is under testing and is accessible exclusively to a limited group of Shorts creators.
YouTube Shorts Introduces AI-Generated Backgrounds
The video-sharing platform, owned by Google, announced the new feature on its support page on Monday. According to their statement, “We’re experimenting with a new feature, Dream Screen, that utilizes AI to generate green screen backgrounds for Shorts.” The specific AI model being employed for this feature has not been disclosed.
Once users gain access to Dream Screen, they can input a text prompt detailing their desired background. For example, the announcement highlighted that users could request an image depicting a “fancy hotel pool on a tropical island,” which the AI would generate almost instantaneously. This generated image can then be seamlessly integrated as the video’s backdrop.
The brief announcement did not clarify several important details about the feature. It remains unclear whether the AI-generated background must be incorporated during the video recording or if it can be added to pre-existing footage. Additionally, there has been no indication of whether a physical green screen is needed for the effect, or if it can be applied digitally, akin to features available on platforms like Google Meet. The company has yet to outline any limitations concerning the creation of AI images, although further guidance may be provided on the feature’s dedicated page in the future.
As a beta feature, Dream Screen is currently limited to a selected group of Shorts creators. However, YouTube has indicated that access will expand to more creators later in 2023. In a separate update, the platform has made its Playables feature available to all users, offering access to over 75 free-to-play games that were previously restricted to YouTube Premium subscribers.
